With no bonus, money is lost, battle for bought-battle. But in the course of 24 hours playing (much easier to use 95-100% of available accrued BA now), one will still make net cash.

My battles cost 1094 right now, and really good rewards would be around 600-700. Average is probably around 500, or half the cost of the BA.

Forging, I can break about even, except for the fact that forge fees are around 70%. But forging any item with a forge efficiency factor north of 1.00 means you are generating more NW than the cost of a BA, per BA.

When I was still in a clan I made money buying all my BA, now thet I'm not in the clan I do lose money but it's very little and I think it's more then worth it for the extra exp. And yes, I do have an NUB.